Attention Bargain Hunters: Edmunds.com Lists Cars and Trucks with Lowest Ownership Costs

SANTA MONICA, CA December 14, 2009; As bargain hunters scour auto dealerships for the best year-end deals, Edmunds.com reminds them to consider the ownership costs of new cars and trucks, not just purchase prices.

“Big discounts are tempting, but buyers should never lose sight of the long-term financial implications of a new vehicle,” notes Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed. “Automotive expenses – including car loan payments, car insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking for all cars – should never exceed 20 percent of a household’s take-home income.”

Edmunds.com presents typical five-year ownership costs for new and used cars through its True Cost to Own� tool.

And, the site lists vehicles that have the lowest typical ownership costs for their segments. The “Lowest True Cost to Own�” vehicles for December 2009 include:

Sedan Under $15,000: Pontiac G3 
Sedan Under $25,000: Honda Fit 
Sedan Under $35,000: Chevrolet Impala 
Wagon Under $35,000: Nissan Cube 
Coupe Under $25,000: Toyota Yaris 
Convertible Under $35,000: Volkswagen New Beetle 
Compact Truck: Mazda B-Series Truck 
SUV Under $25,000: Jeep Patriot 
Minivan: Mazda MAZDA5

The TCO� data is updated monthly to take into account shifts in rebates, incentives, transaction price trends and other factors.

A vehicle's competitive segment is determined by body type and the sales-weighted average MSRP of all styles within the model/body type combination.